Corus Radio's new 'Shop Local' campaign aims to spur the economy with upbeat PSAs, like 'It's a Great Day to Buy a Car' spots, and stimulant-spurring content such as Derringer's Economic Bailout.

Corus Radio is bringing out the pompoms. The media co is using the national reach of its local radio stations – all 52 of them – to encourage listeners to support local biz. Over the next few months, a number of PSA and on-air content initiatives are rolling out across its stations through a new ‘Shop Local’ campaign.

Initiatives launching this week across Corus Radio include profile spots, ranging from 30- to 60-seconds, featuring local business leaders discussing encouraging economic news on stations in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Guelph, Hamilton, Toronto, London and Montreal.

Corus Radio is also encouraging consumers to take advantage of low interest rates and pricing by initiating ‘It’s a Great Day to Buy a Car’ spots currently airing in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Toronto, Peterborough and Kingston – and, in coming weeks, Winnipeg.

In Quebec, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) is also partnering with Corus Radio in a series of 60-second PSA spots to spread some upbeat econ news.

‘Radio has always had such a strong connection with its local community,’ says Ontario Radio VP Chris Pandoff, adding that economic health has strong roots at the local level, where money spent is reinvested into communities.

Also airing in Toronto, Barrie, Collingwood, Guelph, Hamilton, London and Kingston are Barney Brightside PSAs giving listeners positive reasons to support local businesses.

The nationally syndicated program Adler Online with Charles Adler on Corus’ network of news-talk stations is also covering economic issues, both positive and not so positive, and Derringer’s Economic Bailout on Toronto’s Q107 is offering listeners a chance to win some cash in hopes that they’ll inject it back into the economy.